Gospel of John [16:33]. Why the believer has tribulation in the world [part 4]. Mat 5:3-12; 2Co 1:3-7;

Title: Gospel of John [16:33]. Why the believer has tribulation in the world [part 4]. MAT 5:3-12; 2CO 1:3-7; "gentleness" in the NT.

 

 

"…the wise have pitied the fool that hath striven to give a life

In the world of time and space among the bulks of actual things,

To a dream that was dreamed in the heart, and that only the heart could hold.

Oh wise men, riddle me this: what if the dream come true?"

[Pádraic Pearse, 1915]

 

 

MAT 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

MAT 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

 

The believer's contrite spirit will be comforted by the grace of God.

 

The finished work of Christ and the promises that depend on that work will comfort the believer's mourning and in joy and contentment, he will press on, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

 

2CO 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

 

2CO 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 

2CO 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

 

2CO 1:6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;

 

2CO 1:7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

 

MAT 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

 

MAT 5:5 "Blessed are the gentle [Greek: praus (prah-ooce); KJV - meek], for they shall inherit the earth.

 

This is from:

PSA 37:11

But the humble will inherit the land,

And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

 

The word for gentle or meek (praus and prautes)is a close kin of the word for poor. It is impossible that the genuinely humble should not also be gentle in spirit.

 

It is very clear that this condition of gentleness is demanded of the CA believer and is expounded upon in the NT.

 

GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

GAL 5:23 gentleness [same word: prautes], self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

GAL 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness [prautes]; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.

 

It is used in contrast to contentiousness, which the world system prefers and in fact thinks is goodness and strength.

 

TIT 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

 

TIT 3:2 to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle [epieikes: forbearing or patient], showing every consideration [same word: prautes] for all men.

 

Paul expounds on this:

 

TIT 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

 

TIT 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

 

TIT 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

 

TIT 3:6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

 

TIT 3:7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

1TI 6:11

But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness [praus].

 

1PE 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,

 

1PE 3:2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

 

1PE 3:3 And let not your adornment be merely external —  braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;

 

1PE 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle [praus] and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

 

1PE 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

 

1PE 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness [prautes] and reverence;

 

1PE 3:16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

 

EPH 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

 

EPH 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

COL 3:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness [prautes] and patience;

 

COL 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

 

COL 3:14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

 

COL 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

 

2TI 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

 

2TI 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

 

2TI 2:24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

 

2TI 2:25 with gentleness [prautes] correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

 

2TI 2:26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

 

Christ is prophesied as presenting Himself to Israel as gentle.

 

MAT 21:5 "Say to the daughter of Zion,

'Behold your King is coming to you,

Gentle [praus], and mounted on a donkey,

Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"

 

Our Lord is gentle in the same way towards us.

 

MAT 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 

 

MAT 11:30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

 

2CO 10:1

Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness [forbearance, patience] of Christ

 

Gentleness, patience, and forbearance (not quick to judge) are connected in the scriptures.

 

Toward men this disposition is the opposite of high-mindedness, and a quarrelsome and revengeful spirit.

 

1CO 6:7

you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

 

So we conclude with certainty that we are to have a gentle spirit.

 

The interpretation problem for the CA is the inheritance of the earth, or literally, the land.

 

MAT 5:5 "Blessed are the gentle [Greek: praus (prah-ooce); KJV - meek], for they shall inherit the earth.

 

Clearly, the promise to the Jews was the possession of the Promised Land and in the future, the land covenant or the Palestinian covenant.